The Application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Quantity Surveying Firm Towards Quality Improvement

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a detailed process of designing and building in construction industry collaboratively by using one integrated system generated by computer rather than separate the work by separate drawings. On the other hand, it provides a large amount of benefit in terms of cost saving and time, much better accuracy in estimation and reducing arithmetical error and any amendment due to loss of information. Existing studies have determined the quantity surveying firm readiness due to BIM implementation in Malaysia. However, this research is aimed to establish the status of BIM application in quantity surveying firms for quality improvement, especially in current practices by unveiling the present findings. The study objectives are to find out the importance of BIM in the construction industry, to investigate the challenges faced by quantity surveying firms in the implementation of BIM and to suggest a suitable solution for quality improvement to quantity surveying firms. The data collection was conducted by using the quantitative method, which is through the questionnaire survey. The scope is narrowed down to quantity surveying firms that registered in Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia at Northern Region of Peninsular Malaysia only. The findings of this study revealed that quantity surveying firms had difficulties in implementing BIM due to lack of capability and complexity in using BIM software itself such as Cubicost by Glodon. It also revealed difficulties in collaboration during implementing BIM software which causes the firms to decline from using BIM. Hopefully, this research will help the quantity surveying firms by giving a clear exposure on the BIM implementation and how to use it in their current practices for quality improvement.